According to a new report out of George Washington University, there are at least 300 Americans who are currently serving as ambassadors to ISIS by spreading propaganda and recruiting new members online. Primarily using Twitter to communicate with potential members, the report specifies that approximately one third of the ambassadors are women and that their recruitment conversations range from “benign banter to talk of gruesome attacks that would lead to mass casualties.” In other words, this is basically the same as sorority recruitment but much lamer and there are no mid-round death matches.
In fact, the whole thing sounds like it’s just an outlet so that the pansies of ISIS have something to do without bothering the big kids. According to Daily Mail,
When their accounts get suspended it is seen as a ‘badge of honor’ and a sign their intentions are legitimate, and a new one replaces it just hours later.
They are then retweeted to attract more followers.
Their use of platforms like Facebook, Google+, and Tumblr to more discrete messaging applications such as Kik, Telegram, surespot, and the dark web, as created what has been described as a ‘radicalization echo chamber’.
“I blew up 6 humvees, bomed 12 homes and stabbed at least 50 people in the face for opposing ISIS, what did you do today?”
“I fat-shamed Kim Kardashian on Twitter and my account got suspended.”
Bush leagues over here. When you’re part of a terrorist organization and your job is to do THIS on the Internet…
…you’re obviously too incompetent to do anything else. These are the terrorists who got picked last for dodgeball in gym every day, but refused to take the hint and eat paste with the weird kids in the drama department instead.
The report from George Washington University further goes on to state that the ambassadors tend to hijack social media hash tags in order to further their cause, with one example being #BlackLivesMatter:
For example, some tried to use the #BlackLivesMatter conversation in an attempt to bolster their support among African American Muslims and spread their propaganda to unsuspecting Americans of all backgrounds.
They did this to capitalize on unrest in Ferguson, Missouri, and Baltimore, trying to tailor their U.S.-targeted propaganda to resonate with segments of the African American community.
The report reads: ‘The spectrum of U.S.-based sympathizers’ actual involvement with ISIS varies significantly, ranging from those who are merely inspired by its message to those few who reached mid-level leadership positions within the group.(via)
The full report can be read HERE.